“I joined the Co-Op as a member in early 2015 and started volunteering not long after. I love shopping at the Co-Op, I love what it stands for and I love the huge reduction in our household waste since shopping there. So when Sarah, our chair person, mentioned the possibility of creating a store manager role, I was very interested.
And here we are, a few months later and I’ve left my very comfortable 3 day a week Office Manager job for 5 days in the Co-Op. And I’m loving it. Sometimes you will find me and both my boys there. It’s becoming a bit of a family affair. I have noticed a definite shift in my kids’ attitude towards the environment and for that I am very grateful. I have always taught them to reduce, reuse and recycle, and I think that message is finally sinking in.
To be surrounded by like minded people is a privilege and I look forward to serving you for many years in the future. So come in and introduce yourself to me next time you’re in the shop – I’d love to meet you!”

I had started volunteering for the Co-Op starting back in 2016, putting in a few hours every week, following in the foot steps of my mother volunteering here. I always loved being a part of the community that the Co-Op has, where everybody has the same common interests in zero waste and organic foods. I always love helping members of the community by assisting in store with any questions and general help. I am excited about the new store now being open and I can’t wait to see how the store will grow and new members join the community.

When I am not working at the Co-Op, I’m a student studying at University. In my free time I’m spending my day at the beach or just out in the sun!

It is inspiring to see the power of community that makes up the Co-Op, particularly the dedication of the members and volunteers. I am excited to be working in a place aligned with my own values and encouraging me to continue working towards plastic free and zero waste living. I believe the everyday small choices are essential in causing profound change. I appreciate the opportunity the Co-Op provides to protect the environment and the future of the planet.

Outside of the Co-Op I am a university student studying clinical science. My spare time is filled with watching live music, helping out with the local #StopAdani campaign, reading and writing.

I was a founding member of the Co-Op and wrote the original, totally obsolete although cutting edge in its day, IT system with my husband Magennis. We also helped with countless stocktaking and I have ground more kilos of peanut butter than I could ever eat. I have been active in Manly Greens on and off for two decades and ran as NSW State Candidate in 2007. I was on Manly Council Bicycle committee for many years and also on their Climate Change Committee. Currently I am full time holding my teenagers’ hands (Frankie and Katie) while they are traumatized by the HSC and transition to uni. My last job involved a lot of nights away and interstate travel as a contract consultant at NAB’s investment banking arm. I was an Asset Manager responsible for new product and IT systems for the following areas: Equities, Equity Derivatives, Cross Asset Structured Products and Wholesale Equity Financing. I managed staff, budgets and prepared business viability reports for new product proposals.

Most importantly I was heavily involved in the campaign to Save the Co-Op. If you received an unsolicited text or two during that time blame me, but desperate times… I really enjoyed working with everyone with that campaign and I have huge respect for them all with the diverse talents everyone brought to that task. I am so glad that many of us are on the new board and I know I’ll enjoy working with them all and that it will be successful. Personally I hope to combine my financial and technical background with my strong commitment to environmental causes to do my bit to put the Co-Op on a sound financial footing. The Co-Op looks great, has great staff and it epitomizes a really important environmental message. I love the new improved store and I’m determined that it succeeds. And I’m keen to play a part in that.

At the end of last year, I lost my job and decided to get involved with the Co-Op. I started volunteering in the shop on a weekly basis. And after some training with Sarah, I am now doing ordering and receiving products online.

I love being part of a community which is aware of the impact that we are having on our world and is aiming to reduce our waste as much as possible.

Now we think differently about where and how we shop and are always looking for ways to reduce our waste.

I’m excited about joining the board, not only because I get to use my HR and business skills to support an initiative I believe in, but also to ensure we remain sustainable into the future.

My incentive as a founding member of our Coop was to help our community move towards ZERO WASTE. My incentive to rejoin the management team is to help continue the availability of ZERO WASTE shopping.

I love how the Co-Op values low waste, organic and local produce and in doing so creates a community of like-minded people. Having worked in waste and sustainability consulting as an engineer for the past 8 years, I’m very aware of how much waste we create. Going back to the same landfill and seeing how quickly it fills up, will scare anyone into thinking we need to do more. Where better to start than my own pantry!

I’m excited to contribute to the Board of the Co-Op. As a Co-Op with a community and environmental focus, I’m hoping we can get some funding support to strengthen our the standing.

I am excited to be a member of the board. My experience in digital advertising, marketing as well as business operations will be put to good use to set up the co-op for success for many more years to come. I have worked for small companies as well as big corporates like Adobe and have been leading Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability teams outside of my day job as I believe that businesses need to give back to the community and be more mindful of the environments they operate in.

I am keen to hear from you, our members and community. Please feel free to get in touch with any ideas, concerns or suggestions you might have by sending an email to marketing [at] manlyfoodcoop.org.